Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has wooed investors into the state, saying the state is ready for genuine business interactions that will be mutually beneficial.
He charged members of the maiden Governing Board of the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency (GBoRSIPA) to streamline their activities in such a manner that will attract real investors across critical sectors for the state to become self-sustaining, comparatively.
Fubara spoke when he inaugurated members of the six-man board at Government House in Port Harcourt on Monday.
He explained that Rivers State used to rank first in the comity of states in terms of productive economic activities, which attracted various business interests and made the state a well-groomed investment haven.
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The governor said: “We have waited for this moment for a long time. It is a moment we all have been praying for because we want to leave a state that will be remembered: Rivers State that can compete, and Rivers State that can stand the test of time as a proud state.
“People that are coming here would begin to know that Rivers State is now serious. Rivers State is not about coming here and saying “I want to take the side of maybe, I am interested in 10 per cent or 20 per cent of what you are coming with that is not the purpose now”.
He insisted that investors desirous of gaining value from their stakes should boldly come to the state for partnerships that will work in the interest of all stakeholders.
He said, “The purpose is to build our state. The purpose is to grow this state economically in such a way and manner that even if we don’t get federal allocation anymore, for example, we can still sustain ourselves (as a state) with our IGR.”
Fubara acknowledged that in discharging its responsibilities, the board will encounter challenges and stiff opposition from those who abhor change but urged the members to brace up and be forthright in their quest to achieve their mandate.
The governor asked the board not to be preoccupied with people who are only interested in real Estate, which seemed to be the current drive now.
Fubara said: “Not just issues of people coming to build houses and other things. I want your concentration to be more on agriculture, (manufacturing).”
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